Police identify suspect in national guard shooting as Afghan man | Washington DC

The suspected shooter in the shooting of two National Guard members Wednesday near the White House has been identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan, according to law enforcement.

Lakanwal reportedly entered the United States in September 2021 and was living in Washington state, law enforcement officials told The Associated Press and other media outlets.

The suspect, who is currently in custody, was also shot and has non-life-threatening injuries, according to a law enforcement official not authorized to discuss the case publicly and who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity. Further details about the suspect have not been released.

The shooting took place on Wednesday afternoon near the Farragut West metro station in the capital. The two National Guardsmen who were shot remain in critical condition. Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington, called the attack a “targeted shooting.”

National Guard troops have been positioned across Washington since August, when the Trump administration declared a “criminal emergency” and ordered them to move in to support federal and local law enforcement.

An estimated 2,375 National Guard troops are currently activated in Washington. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump asked him to add additional guards after the shooting.

More details soon…